Kharma Elegance dB9-Diamond Floorstanding Loudspeakers Review

Experience the stunning Kharma Elegance dB9-Diamond speakers, combining superb sound and high-end design for an unforgettable audio journey.

One of the joys of attending major audio shows, like AXPONA in Chicago, is stumbling upon audio gems that aren't easily accessible locally. Living hundreds of miles away from the nearest Kharma dealer meant my encounters with this prestigious brand were rare. A few years back, I caught the Kharma Elegance dB7 at a show and was immediately impressed by its presentation, despite being one of the smaller models in their lineup.

Fast forward to this spring, a conversation with Vivienne van Oosterum, International Sales Director for Kharma, opened the door to a more immersive experience. The newly revamped Elegance Line’s flagship—the dB9-Diamond—was already stateside, eliminating any import hurdles. Soon enough, two massive crates rolled in, revealing the dazzling Hermès Orange Kharma Elegance dB9-Diamond loudspeakers.

Birkin-Colored Brilliance

Imagine your speakers sporting the same iconic color as a $17,000 Hermès Birkin handbag—yes, that vivid Hermès Orange! Adorned with gold-accented badges and feet, these beauties struck a regal pose right in my listening room. While the dB9s come in a few classic hues, Kharma offers the exciting option to customize any speaker in any RAL shade, letting you tailor them perfectly to your home’s interior design. Talk about blending high art with high fidelity!

Engineering Mastery: Sealed, Rigid, and Ready to Impress

These three-way, closed-system floorstanders boast a proprietary, ultra-rigid cabinet built to minimize resonance and maximize sound clarity. Adjustable spikes with brass cups make them perfect for hardwood floors, ensuring a rock-solid foundation.

The speaker array features twin 9-inch aluminum woofers partnered with the Kharma Omega 7 seven-inch carbon fiber midrange driver. But the true crown jewel? A 25mm diamond tweeter, upgraded with premium wiring, outshining the already impressive one-inch beryllium tweeter found in the dB9 Signature model. This diamond marvel alone costs nearly $25,000 USD extra and, as you’ll soon read, it delivers a sonic experience that justifies every penny.

Taken as a whole, these speakers look like the Maybach of audio gear—sleek, sophisticated, and unmistakably European in design elegance.

Setup and First Impressions

Excited to test these marvels, I hooked them up using AudioQuest William Tell Zero bi-wire cables (a luxury match for such speakers) and paired them with Atma-Sphere Class D Monoblocks amplifier delivering 200 watts into 4 Ohms. The signal flowed through my Pass Labs preamp, and I let the speakers warm up with some Qobuz streaming via Roon.

Initially, I felt the dB9-Diamonds didn’t quite unleash their full scale. Switching to the more powerful Sanders Sound Magtech Class AB amplifier—pushing 900 watts into 4 Ohms with an impressive damping factor—brought the speakers vividly to life.

Vocal Excellence: Annie Lennox’s “Into the West”

An acid test for any speaker is how it handles female vocals, and for me, Annie Lennox’s evocative rendition of “Into the West,” from The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King soundtrack, fits the bill perfectly.

The dB9-Diamonds rendered her voice with purity and strength, capturing every nuance as if Annie were performing right in my room. The lush ensemble of strings, the plucked harp, and the swelling horns were all presented with impeccable texture and tonal accuracy. As a former French horn player, the way these speakers handled the horn section's timbre impressed me deeply. They didn’t just reproduce sound—they conveyed musical emotion.

Low-End Power: Dancing to Deadmau5

To test bass agility and clarity, I turned to Deadmau5’s album While (1<2), specifically the track “Seeya,” featuring Colleen D’Agostino. Heavy EDM bass demands speakers that can handle rapid transitions and deep lows without blurring notes.

The dB9-Diamonds delivered faultlessly—each bass note hit with precision and retained its shape clearly. Thanks to the Magtech amp’s muscle and control, I could push volumes beyond 100dB without a hint of distortion or muddiness. It felt like being front and center at a club, the bass thumping cleanly and powerfully.

Orchestral Majesty: Beethoven’s ‘Eroica’

Switching gears to classical, I dove into Beethoven’s Symphony No. 3 in E flat major, the Eroica, conducted by Herbert von Karajan (2024 remaster). With its sweeping strings, brassy fanfares, and delicate woodwinds, this piece demands clarity and spatial accuracy.

The dB9-Diamonds nailed it. Each instrument sat perfectly in the soundstage, allowing me to “see” the orchestra as if I were in the concert hall’s best seat. The speakers handled massive dynamics—from thunderous fortissimos to whisper-quiet pianissimos—with grace and power. No wonder I joked about cleaning my tuxedo in anticipation!

Vinyl Vibes: Billy Squier and Bryan Ferry

Craving some nostalgia, I pulled out my vinyl copy of Billy Squier’s Don’t Say No, mastered by Kevin Grey. The dB9-Diamonds brought the crunch of 80s power rock guitars to life as if I was back in my college dorm, reliving those raucous campus parties.

Switching to Bryan Ferry’s Bête Noire, I admired the precise bass groove on “Kiss and Tell.” The twin 9-inch woofers kept the rhythm tight, while the rich spatial detail painted an aural kaleidoscope with percussion and shimmering chimes dancing across the soundstage.

A signature of these speakers was their unwavering fidelity, presenting music with remarkable accuracy and timing no matter the genre.

Remarkable Low-End Control

One of my favorite albums, Dire Straits’ Brothers in Arms, is a bass lover’s dream. Songs like “Your Latest Trick” hinge upon solid low-frequency reproduction. The dB9-Diamonds delivered a tight, controlled low end that felt foundational without overwhelming the mix.

What’s remarkable is that this bass authority comes without needing a powered subwoofer. The combination of a well-crafted bass section, smart crossover design, bi-wiring, and a strong amplifier means the speakers offer a satisfying low-end punch seamlessly integrated into the entire sound.

Luxury and Performance Combined

Listening to Your Latest Trick multiple times, I appreciated how the dB9-Diamonds marry form and function with the poise of a Maybach or a Patek Philippe watch. They’re not just speakers—they’re aspirational works of art with sound quality to match.

Art You Can Play With

A friend once described his Porsche as “art you get to play with.” The Kharma Elegance dB9-Diamonds fit that description perfectly. They’re stunning to behold and a joy to listen to. If you get the chance to audition a pair and they fit your budget, you might just find your forever speakers.

Highly recommended!

Specifications & Pricing

• Type: Three-way, rear-ported, floorstanding loudspeaker
• Drivers: 1x 25mm Diamond tweeter, 1x 180mm Kharma Omega 7 midrange driver, 2x 230mm aluminum woofers
• RMS Power: 250 watts
• Program Power: 500 watts
• Frequency Range: 26 Hz – 30 kHz
• Nominal Impedance: 4 Ohms
• Efficiency: 89 dB @ 2.83V/1m
• Maximum SPL: 113 dB
• Dimensions: 104.1 x 41 x 60.6 cm
• Weight: 63 kg (each)
• Price: Approx. $90,000 USD per pair

FAQ

• What makes the dB9-Diamond different from the standard dB9?
  The dB9-Diamond features a 25mm diamond tweeter, upgraded wiring, and bi-wiring capability, which are not available in the standard dB9 model.
• Can these speakers be customized in color?
  Yes! Kharma offers the option to order any speaker in any RAL color to match your interior design.
• Do the dB9-Diamonds require a powered subwoofer for deep bass?
  No, they deliver tight, controlled bass without needing a powered subwoofer, thanks to their advanced design and powerful amplification.
• What kind of amplifier pairs best with these speakers?
  Powerful amplifiers with high damping factors, like the Sanders Sound Magtech Class AB amplifier, bring out the best in these speakers.
• Are these speakers suitable for vinyl listening?
  Absolutely. Their accuracy and dynamic range make them excellent for vinyl, bringing out vintage recordings with crystal clarity.

If the idea of owning an audio masterpiece like the Kharma Elegance dB9-Diamonds excites you, why not surround yourself with stunning album art too? Shop your favorite album cover posters at our store for a perfect complement to your listening sanctuary: Architeg Prints.